Local volt/var Control Strategy for Smart Grids using Photovoltaic Smart Inverters

This paper presents further study for a new local volt/var control (VVC) methodology, using the smart inverters applied in the connection of photovoltaic (PV) distributed generation (DG) to the electric grid. The VVC is a highly beneficial functionality to an electrical distribution system, especially when considering its modernization, with further use of communication technologies and on-site generation. Thus, by using DG inverters on medium and low voltage levels, this system benefits from both those concepts, as it helps the voltage regulation by either absorbing or supplying reactive power to the distribution network. A modified IEEE 34 buses test grid is used to demonstrate the local VVC strategy with the addition of 8 photovoltaic generators. The results were obtained from the OpenDSS and MATLAB softwares for model control and simulation. The methodology was analyzed and tested considering two different cases: following the ABNT NBR 16149 standard and disregarding its limits.